complex

adjective more complex · complexer · most complex · complexest

1. Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple. a complex being; a complex idea
2. Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated. If, when the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is complex and difficult, and if we are discontented at this, nature, and not the astronomer, must be the object of our displeasure.

   Similar: complicated, detailed, difficult, hard, intricate, involved, tough · Opposite: basic, easy, simple, simplex, straightforward, as a duck takes to water, prosaic, no-fuss, easy as 123, easy as ABC, easy as cake, easy as pie

3. of a number Having the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is (by definition) the imaginary square root of −1. complex number
4. of a function Whose range is a subset of the complex numbers. complex function
5. Whose coefficients are complex numbers; defined over the field of complex numbers. complex polynomial
6. A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.

Similar: complex, complexed, complicate, complicated, convoluted, Gordian, involute, intricate, involutional, involved, knotty, labyrinthal, labyrinthine, manifold · Opposite: incomplex, noncomplex, noncomplicated, simple, simplex, straightforward, uncomplex, uncomplexed, uncomplicated, unconvoluted

noun complexes · complices

1. A network of interconnected systems. military–industrial complex
2. A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base. The south polar region of Promethei Planum developed a Bermuda Triangle reputation. Satellites detected intermittent mass concentrations and magnetic field shifts. In 2148, prospectors working near Deseado Crater discovered an underground complex: a Prothean observation post. The odd phenomena were
3. An assemblage of related things; a collection. This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel.
4. An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
5. A cluster of wildfires burning in the same vicinity. The fire complex began as two separate fires.
6. A group of closely related species, often distinguished only with difficulty by traditional morphological methods. Since then, a good deal of research has documented and concluded that the nominal species A. fraterculus actually comprises an unresolved complex of cryptic species.

   Similar: species complex, species group, species aggregate

7. A group of emotionally charged ideas or mental factors, unconsciously associated by the individual with a particular subject, arising from repressed instincts, fears, or desires and often resulting in mental abnormality. Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss.

   Similar: constellation

8. A fixed mental tendency or obsession.

   Similar: constellation

9. A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules, as for example coordination compounds in inorganic chemistry and protein complexes in biochemistry. Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:[…]. The evolutionary precursor of photosynthesis is still under debate, and a new study sheds light. The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the “water-oxidizing complex”, made up of m
10. A complex number. The interesting aspect here is that U₃ is irreducible, even though all irreps over the complexes are one-dimensional because ℤ₄ is abelian.
11. A multimorphemic word, one with several parts, one with affixes.

verb complexes · complexing · complexed

1. intransitive To form a complex with another substance.
2. transitive To complicate.